Udraparaka

A snake born in the dynasty of Dhritarashta. It was killed in Janamejaya’s sarpasatra as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 57 verse 17.

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Utbhasa

A warrior of the kingdom of Utbhasa. Nakula and Sahadeva fought Dhrishtadyumna with their help as per Mahabharata Bhishmaparva Chapter 50 verse 53.

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Uddhava

A yadava, who was a friend and minister of Krishna. He was present at Draupadi’s swayamwar as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 186 verse 18. He was also present at the festival on Raivata mountain as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 218 verse 11.

Uddhava was very intelligent and a disciple of Brihaspati. When Arjuna married Subhadra, it was he brought her dowry to Indraprastha as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 220 verse 30. Once, when Shalva attacked Dwaraka, it was Uddhava who saved the city as per Mahabharata Vanaparva Chapter 15 verse 9.

Kamsa sent Akrura to Ambadi and got Krishna to Mathura. Krishna killed him and made Ugrasena king. Krishna stayed on in Mathura and once sent Uddhava to enquire what was happening back at home. As soon as he reached there, he was surrounded by Yashoda, Nandagopa and all the gopikas. They were glad to hear about Krishna and when Uddhava left, they sent with him many things for Krishna, as per Bhagavata Dashamaskanda.

Krishna had informed Uddhava earlier about the impending downfall of the Yadavas. Uddhava requested Krishna to take him to Vaikuntha too. When Krishna told him about maya and the mysteries of the universe, Uddhava asked him 21 questions on human relationships, and the cycle of life and death. Krishna gave him the answers as per Bhagavata Ekadashaskanda.

Before the destruction of Dwaraka, the Yadavas escaped and started living in Prabhasatheertha. Seeing their end near, Uddhava proceeded on his own. Krishna didn’t stop him as per Mahabharata Mausalaparva Chapter 3. According to Bhagavata Ekadashaskanda he mediated for the rest of his life in Badarikashrama.

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Uddalaka (2)

The Mahabharata Anushasanaparva Chapter 71 has a mention of another sage named Uddalaka. Once this sage forgot his flowers, pot and food on the banks of the river and proceeded to his hermitage. He remembered it when he got there and asked his son Nachiketa to fetch them. But by the time Nachiketa got there, the river had carried it away. He reported this to his father, who in a fit of anger cursed him dead. But he soon repented and his tears brought back Nachiketa to life. Uddalaka asked his son to describe  Yama’s world and his son gave him all the details.

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Uddalaka (1)

Originally known as Aaruni, and the disciple of Ayodhadhaumya. Once his guru entrusted Aaruni to take care of the fields. But when he tried to set the boundaries of the field, he was unable to. So he lay down instead and stopped water from flowing into the field. Later, the guru enquired about him, and got to know the story from the other students. The guru went to the field and called Aaruni over, from then on Aaruni was also known as Uddalaka, as per Mahabharata Chapter 3 verses 21-33. He was present in Indra’s court as per Mahabharata Sabhaparva Chapter 7 verse 12.

Uddalaka had a son named Shwetaketu and a daughter named Sujata. His dearest disciple Kahodaka married Sujata, and their son was Ashtavakra as per Mahabharata Vanaparva Chapter 132.

Once Uddalaka made the Saraswati river appear in a yajna. From then on Saraswati was also called Manorama, since she appeared when she was thought of, as per Mahabharata Shalyaparva Chapter 33.

Shwetaketu was a brahmin hater and his father drove him out of the house as per Mahabharata Shantiparva Chapter 57 verse 10.

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